Baptism signifies, seals, and shows the identity we have been given in Christ. It is a means of grace to grow us in faith - not merely at the moment of baptism, but all our lives long.

God speaks and we listen through His Word. We speak and God listens when we pray.

The Holy Spirit saves sinners and sanctifies saints (applying to them the work of Christ) by the Word. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ.

We finish the Mark's Gospel with this passage that may not have been part of the original, inspired text by leaning on parallel accounts and information in the other Gospels and the rest of the New Testament. We see that Jesus' mission was decisively victorious in his resurrection, but that his mission continues.

Whatever you think you're seeking, and however you've been seeking it, what you really seek is a crucified and risen Christ.

In His suffering, humiliation, and death on the cross, Jesus takes away our shame and our sin.

This chapter in Mark's Gospel shows us at least four ways people respond to Jesus...

Jesus answers his disciples' questions about the destruction of the temple and the apocalypse.

Jesus demonstrates superior wisdom in history, politics, theology, philosophy, and economics.

Jesus rides into Jerusalem with the authority of a king, priest, and prophet.